Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto/Boruto.

Shinto goes home with extreme excitement at the milestone he achieved. He need to tell his sister about it, he wanted her praise.

Once he gotten home, he found out she wasn't there. Confused a bit, he figure that she might've went to the grocery store. As he expect, she did. She came home with a bus load of food with the help of their elder cousin Tadashi Hyuuga. Shinto was surprised to see that much food as his sister sat the groceries on the table. "Elder sister, cousin! Look, look please!"

The boy shown his forehead protector to them both. Torisu didn't seem that happy but she praised him anyway. "Congratulations Shinto..."

Tadashi on the other hand was praising him with huge enthusiasm. "I knew you could do it! I just knew it, the Hanabi descendants continue to achieve greatness!" He says with excitement. He then got down on Shinto level (getting on his knees.) "Continue to push forward. Next you gotta become Chuunin. The Chuunin Exams is within a year, so make sure you fellow the rules and train just as hard. Come down the Hyuuga Temple if you wanna train with me."

"Can you come back for dinner Tadashi?" Shinto asked.

Tadashi shook his head. "Make sure your greedy sister doesn't eat all the food and save me some leftovers. I gotta head to Hokage office with a few other Jounins. See ya Shinto, see ya Torisu." Tadashi waved off as he left their small house. Shinto sighed that his cousin left as he went over to Torisu to help unpack. He then noticed that it was a bit of dried up blood on at the bottom of her skirt. "Torisu, are you okay? You got a bit of blood on your skirt..."

Torisu eyes shifted away, she was very hesitant respond. As she did, she placed her finger onto Shinto's lips. "It's the women's secret. Very forbidden. But, you'll find out once you get older."

Shinto understood as he nodded but he couldn't help to stare at another blood stain at the collar of her shirt. "..."

While she cooked their food, Shinto went out to show his headband to his medical/sword teacher. "Ah~! You pass. That's awesome!"

"The Chakra Cutter technique helped me a lot during the program!"

"So...now you're a Genin, you're gonna ditch dear 'ol teacher for your Jounin." Happī joked.

Shinto shook his head rapidly. "No way! I'll never ditch you. Actually, I want to continue training with you right now! Remember you said you were going to teach me how to make chocolate medicine?"

Happī chuckled. "Yeah, I did say that."

Shinto then spent the rest of his time learning how to make chocolate medicine. He didn't completely perfected it since they had to collect ingredients. Tomorrow morning.

He gotten up to put on a sleeveless white kung fu shirt and tiger claw pants and shoes. To finish it off, he wrapped a scarf around his neck.

Now wanting to see where his shinobi life continues. He opened the front door, he found Kasai, Sakana, and Midori waiting for him. Shinto tongue clicked at the sight of Midori and Kasai. "Oh...wow, what a mismatch. Well, at least Sakana is here." Closing the door behind himself, he greeted his comrades with a wave.

"How ironic. My team is my less favorite people. A cowardly Hyuuga, a distasteful Uchiha, and a dumb double lifer." Kasai seem to rant until he continued. "That's what I would say if Raion and Rai didn't tell me your performances during the program. Midori was willing to work with others unlike how he was back at school. Shinto kenjutsu skills, quick thinking and medical training had really paid off."

Sakana stood there, hoping she would get a compliment too. "Sakana, you have courage and you're willing to fight with others. You're the weakest link of the group." Kasai bluntly says.

Sakana exclaimed. "W-what?!"

"As Raion told me. Instead of trying your best to be popular, you should focus more on your ninja studies." Kasai continued as they picked up the conversation elsewhere.

Sakana had a downcasted frown after being called the weakest out of the group. "You sound like my parents..."

"Really? Do you want to be a shinobi because of your parents?" Kasai asked.

"Well no, I do want to become the Future Hokage."

"Not unique but not a bad goal. What about you Midori?"

"...I want to become a Hokage too."

Midori side glance at Sakana who was glaring at him once he brought up the Hokage title. "What about you Shinto? Didn't you say you want to prove a point?" Kasai recalled.

"Yeah, I did. I want to prove that I could be a splendid ninja. Ya know, many people doubted me." Shinto says, looking at both Midori and Sakana. Kasai then assign them for a mission which was simple community work. Picking up trash in the lakes. "Oh god! This is so lame. I expected to be a ninja, not some litter picker..."

"Sakana..." Shinto says, going over to the hot tempered girl. "Can you tell me about the women's secret?"

"...What?"

"I saw a blood stain on her dress and I asked her about it. She said-"

Spit flew out his mouth as Sakana hand slapped against his cheek. "You don't ask a girl about that!"

She stormed away, leaving the rest of the trash for Midori and Shinto to pick up. Later Shinto founded Sakana leaning against. "...Torisu was right when she said the secret was forbidden. So, sorry for asking."

"Hmph." She pushed herself off the tree. "I guess even the nerdy ones aren't innocent. And you still wear that stupid scarf?"

"Well..." He smiled, taking the scarf off. "That means we have something in common, right? You aren't so innocent too but..."

Sakana heated up when Shinto start wrapping his scarf around her neck. "that's what makes you cool, right?"

The girl was so flustered that she couldn't even get a word out, Shinto smacked her back playfully while laughing. "I'm just joking about the non-innocent part! Shinto is always keeps his innocence! The scarf is special cause my mother use to wear it. If you don't want it, give it back please! And sorry again, I won't ask the forbidden secret."

"..." Sakana looked at Shinto's name that was made on the red scarf. Shinto was going to pick up the trash.

Midori was already finish with his section, now he was just wondering how Shinto was so strong. "I don't get it. Have I been lacking off or Shinto has gotten better."

In the Genin exam, he was basically the highlight reel. He eliminated Raion, given credit of eliminating Rai since it was basically his Chakra Cutter Jutsu that made the other students shurikens cut through her wind release and eliminate her. "What? Jealous? Or maybe you have been slacking off."

"No, I always train but he...he was always scared to fight but yesterday, he left everybody dumbfounded."

"Being scared doesn't stop a person from improving. Maybe he was strong from the start and just needed someone to tell him that it's okay to fight." Kasai replied to Midori statement. "If you're looking to challenge him, I wouldn't mind."

Now that he has Kasai permission, he tied up his bag of garbage and gave it to his sensei. Shinto tied up his and Sakana's garbage bag after picking up the rest of it. "I didn't need your help." Sakana says vulgarly.

Shinto responded with a jittery smile. He then look up to see Midori heading his way. His eyes were unexpectedly cold and stoic like he wanted to murder Shinto. "Shinto. I ask for a challenge."

"..." Shinto stood up. "Is Kasai okay with this?"

"I wouldn't be asking if I didn't got permission." Midori replied, now grinning. "What? Scared that I'll beat you."

Shinto knew that Midori was trying to tempt him. Sakana backed up, letting the two settle whatever action they were going to start. Shinto was nervous but their is no way he was backing down after what he displayed yesterday, besides Sakana was right there. Chickening out wasn't an option. "N-nah! I'm scared that I'll hurt you! Bring it!"

Shinobi hand to hand combat, the two boys brought up the Seal of Confrontation. The two boys glared at each other intensely. Shinto attacked first with a punch. Midori was able to duck under it while getting behind him. They both turned with Midori swinging a roundhouse kick, Shinto was able to react to it by blocking the kick with his forearm. Shinto stepped back while adjusting his head backwards to avoid a backhand. Shinto responded with a jab, Midori parried it with his hand but couldn't react to the next one that collided into his cheek. He kept his composure as he retaliated with a side kick to Shinto ribcage. Shinto was then knocked up a bit by an hard uppercut. He quickly caught his his footing by doing a backflip.

Midori leapt at Shinto, raining down a couple of kicks while airborne. He was shield himself with his arm but was being push back while doing so. Midori then used Shinto forearms in his advantage by standing on them for just a second so he can flip behind Shinto while taking his sword. However, Shinto somehow predicted that to happen as he quickly got a kunai and perform the handsigns for the Chakra Cutter. As both turned, Shinto was able to cut his katana in half with the kunai, the Uchiha eyes widen as he was sent rolling across the grass by a spin kick. Shinto then caught the blade of his katana. Kasai claims that Shinto has quick thinking. Shinto ran and stomped his foot at Midori, he quickly rolled out the way as he taken out two kunai knives. The two boys clashed with each others with the blades so swift and straightforward to the point they were looking like they were dancing. After one swing from Shinto, Midori leapt away to use the Phoenix Flower Jutsu to fire off a couple of fireballs. Some of them were cancel out by Shinto's Reaper Cutter while the rest was aim below the Hyuuga's feet which caused a smoke screen. Shinto had to get back some so he wouldn't get ambush by any surprise attacks. Seemingly that what Midori went for as shurikens were heading straight toward him, Shinto deflected them with his blade but didn't knew they were only for a distraction. Midori gripped on the kunai that Shinto had on the reaper cutter activated, he then strike with a backhand that cause Shinto to stumble back while his kunai was taken away from him. However the jutsu was released once it was snatched from his hand. But before Midori could follow up with another attack, a shadow clone bursted from the ground, hitting Midori straight in the chin with an uppercut. Being sent into the air, Shinto leapt after him. Midori was able to regain himself while in the air but. "Alright, enough."

"Huh?" They both said, falling onto the ground. Kasai told them to do the Seal of reconciliation, which they did. Midori was a bit hesitated to do so but did anyway. He still felt skeptical despite the display between.

"Isn't that nice? I bet both your grandfathers would be rolling in their graves if they saw you both." Kasai noted. Shinto and Midori was confused by that statement. Considering the fact that Shinto grandfather died before he was born and Midori grandfather who died two years ago never talked about Shinto's grandfather. "If you didn't know, your grandfathers were on the same team as well...except...they weren't nice to each other from what I was told."

"Tch, whatever..." Midori scoffed as he then went away. Meanwhile, Sakana was astonish by their performance that slowly made her feel less confident in her skills.

Kasai scratched his head as he watched Midori go away. "Guess I stand half corrected. Let's continue training and doing missions okay?"

Sakana and Shinto then parted ways from their sensei. Shinto and Sakana were walking home together. "So...did I look cool?" Shinto spoke up, wanting to break the silence between the two.

Sakana feeling very doubtful about her own skills made her mad when Shinto wanted an improvable of his. "Why don't you shut the hell up!" She snapped. Shinto squinted. He didn't jump or anything since anger was a common trait of Sakana's. "Why are asking me that? Are you trying to make me look bad than I already am?!" She continued to rant.

"No? Why are you so angry? If you're still mad about that entire forbidden secret thing then I'm sorry again-"

"No!" She interrupted him. "You...you being a show off and everything!"

That rise an baffle eyebrow as Shinto stopped. "I don't get what you mean..."

Sakana stopped as well, glaring at Shinto with a fierce glaze. "You showing off! Before the Genin program, you were a straight up coward. Being considered the weakest kid in class and now...you fighting evenly with Midori who is a Uchiha prodigy!? You're so stuck up that it pisses me off now!"

Shinto again was confused by her statements. In the ninja academy, he was made fun of being a coward crybaby with the spear-header being Sakana mainly and sometimes Midori when they face against each other back at the academy. "So...you don't like me when fight..? If that the case...shouldn't you dislike Midori too? I mean, I don't want you to but..."

"That's difference. He was never coward!"

Shinto wasn't a fond of Sakana using the word "coward" against him continuously and now she was comparing him to Midori, one who used to doubt him too. It was really hurting his feelings. "You're so cold...and indecisive! If you despise and made fun of me because I was a coward before then why do I still look like garbage to you when I show that I can handle myself?! Are you mad that I don't wanna be everybody's punching bag anymore?" Tears was flowing from his eyes. He thought if he did show he could do something, Sakana would actually have a positive feeling toward him. He did liked Sakana despite the bullying, he thought that she only acted that way because of her strict parents. Sakana was speechless, she didn't want to admit that she was just jealous that he was actually was better than her but right now it didn't look so good either since people were staring. "Gimme back my scarf! I thought to give it to someone special but clearly it isn't you!"

"Fine! I didn't like it anyway!" She took the scarf off her neck, throwing it straight at Shinto. He took it and immediately home. Probably the first time Sakana felt bad for what she done. She hadn't hurt someone feelings to the point they called her out on and had them crying angrily. Not only that, people were looking at her weirdly. She immediately stormed home before she bursts under this weird sense of pressure.

Torisu caught her brother coming in with the waterworks and angry expression. She got up and caught him into her arms. "Shinto? Why are you crying? Did someone hurt you?"

"I'm- I'm o-okay! Just a bit mad..." He wiped the tears away, trying to look less mad.

"Because...?"

"I...got into a fight, that's all. I'm going to Happī for some training...I'll be back in a minute."

A while later, Kasai who was eating a bow of ramen that he gotten from Ichiraku Ramen was found by Konaka. His slammed his hand on the table that Kashi was sitting at just to get his attention. Kashi kept a stoic expression. "Ya know, a simple hello would've suffice."

"I'm furious with your team Kashi already. Why Sakana came back home, saying she got into a fight with one of her partners."

"Well. You can't expect them to get along on their first day." Kashi said.

This still had Konaka pissed, actually he was only mad because someone tried to fight her. "From what she told me, she got a fight into a boy. If he put his hand on my daughter, then I'll kick his ass."

"I don't think that'll make the situation better."

"Then do something about it! If you aren't going to be responsible then you don't deserve to have a team or be a Jounin!"

"Says the Chuunin." Kasai thought. "Alright, alright I'll go talk to them tomorrow."

The next day, 10:25 am. The atmosphere was thick between Sakana and Shinto. The katana that broken yesterday, Shinto was attaching the blade back with glue and very thick tape. While Sakana was sitting on the grass the field had. "Alright, who started it?"

"I did nothing wrong..." Shinto pointed out. "Sakana was being cruel, calling me a show off."

"Isn't that a small reason to start an argument?" Kasai stated.

"No, she snapped at me because I can fight. Calling me a stuck up because I don't want to be a loser."

Sakana didn't say anything, knowing this argument wasn't in her favor despite anything she say.

Kasai probably knew why Sakana reacted that way but he wanted to hear it from her. "Sakana, why do you feel that way?"

Sakana hesitated to say anything but did as she let out a sigh "I...I was jealous, okay? I didn't want to be the "weak link" of the group." She says, mocking Kasai words. Kasai then scratched the back of his head out of guilt of saying that.

"B-but...I..I think you're awesome! That's why I asked if you think I'm cool or not!" Shinto replied but then he sighed. "I'm sorry if I made you feel that way though..."

Sakana frowned, hating that Shinto apologized. But she sucked it up and look away. "I'm sorry too."

"Now that's better, you two-"

"I'm also sorry." Midori spoken up. They all look at Midori who had a blank stare. "Just like Sakana, I've also felt a shred of jealousy out of superiority. I thought I was better than you both which isn't the case. Despite who is stronger or weak, we should treat each other as equal."

Kasai was surprised to hear Midori give out an inspirational speech. This what they needed, get together. "Right. Just like Midori said, we should treat each other like equals."

That speech kept the team together, for now. Today was like yesterday, missions, training, eat, sleep. It was awkward between Shinto and Sakana because of that argument, Shinto again tried to speak with Sakana. " So Sakana, are we cool?"

"Yeah..." She rolled her eyes.

"Want my scarf back?"

"Tch, no."

"C'mon, take it!"

Shinto wrapped the scarf back around Sakana neck. Again, she was flustered how Shinto was acting and she didn't understand why until she remember when Shinto was talking about 'someone special to him.' "Are you hitting on me?"

His face heated red at the fact she thought of that. "H-huh?"

"I ask if you're hitting on me. If so, my dad would incinerate you-"

"I'm n-not hitting you! I-it just...I think you're cool!" Shinto was lying through his teeth. While he did thought cool, he does have a crush on her. "A-and I thought to get to know you b-better!"

"...okay. We could be friends, only if you teach me how to control my chakra better."

"That is it? Are you trying to become a medical-nin too?" Shinto ask out of curiosity.

"Hell no! I can't run up trees! I can't control it precisely like you. My dad told me I wouldn't be able to use Ninjutsu if I can't master this hard task."

Shinto and Sakana went to a forest, she already knew about focusing her chakra within her feet to stick on the tree bark before running up there. Unfortunately, she didn't put enough chakra in which caused her to fall. "Too little, try putting more." Shinto says, helping up Sakana on her feet.

Sakana attempted again, actually managing to get higher then she was before. Again, she failed with her feet breaking through the tree bark. "Dammit!" She fell but was able to land on her feet this time. "Okay, what was that about?"

"Too much, try again until you reach to the top. This is basically experience training. Once you get to the precise chakra control, you'll get it. Just picture this, if your feet feels too fast, that means you're using too much chakra. If your speed still feels the same, that means you use too less. Try again."

She rolled her eyes as she attempted again and again and again. The only time she manage to get to the top is when she was almost exhausted and out of chakra. "Hey, pale head..." She says, hitting upside his head to wake him up. As he did, she pointed at the highest point of the tree that had a kunai stabbed through the tree bark. "Take me home...I feel like I'm on the brink of death..."

She could barely stand on her feet from the chakra strain. Luckily Shinto was there to keep her up and to restore her some of her chakra. He then helped Sakana back home. Sakana giggled all nervous like. "What's so...funny?"

"Sorry."

"Eh?" Shinto exclaimed. "Sorry for what?"

"Sorry about yesterday and I'm actually being sincere." Sakana replied.

Shinto then chuckled nervously at that statement. "You do-"

"Yeah, I actually do." She says interrupting him. "What I said yesterday was cruel and all the stuff, making fun of you at school wasn't okay either." Sakana said in the most genuine way possible, Shinto found this weird to see the most angsty girl in school so calm and empathetic. It was actually beautiful in his eyes but he quickly shook those thoughts away once they finally reached to her house. "See you tomorrow Shinto."

"Yeah, see ya..." He waved off. As he went back home, he found the door completely locked. Banging on it, nobody didn't answer. He climbed in the window instead, now wondering if Torisu is asleep on not. He heard faucet water running and saw the bathroom light was on. He then caught Torisu rising her hands off, however what she was cleaning off wasn't pleasant. Her hands and shirt was soak in blood, now Shinto wasn't that oblivious. "Torisu...?"

Torisu jumped up after being startle, with her eyes widen, she gave Shinto an awfully guilty look. "S-shinto! Why d-did you barge into the bathroom lik-"

"It was already open..." He said coldly. There was no excuse for whatever intent his sister done that made her a murderous mess. She was no ninja, so killing for the greater good was out of the question. "W-why is there blood on you?" He was slowly backed up.

She immediately grabbed onto Shinto's wrist tightly, preventing him from running away. "I didn't expect you to find out this quickly. I just got this job." Her personality and expression had a sudden shifted coldness. Shinto was confused by the fact she said "job." Did she became a ninja and was sent on a ruthless mission? "What I'm going to tell you needs to be a secret kept between us. It's for a greater good that you have to understand."

"Do...you hurt people?"

She covered his mouth with her hand to keep him silent. "Yes, I hurt people. But like I said, it's for a good cause so you need to understand."

Shinto was getting annoyed that she was covering his mouth again to prevent him from talking. She could see that Shinto was getting angry. "Listen, how do you think we're gonna live with no money?! Thanks to our terrible parents for being so bad, we could barely-"

Shinto smacked her hand away out of anger. "My mom wasn't terrible so stop saying that!"

Torisu sometimes called their mother mean names out of anger. She despise their mother because her suicidal act over an abusive man and because she left them. It was not until then Torisu told their father out for their crimes. Torisu grabbed on her brother shirt, pulling him close. "I'm the only person you have now and I'm the only one who can take care of us! So please, pretend that this never happen."

"What...do you even do?"

"I'm a Mercenary but unfortunately I'm not that good at it because I get so much blood on my clothes. Now that I've gotten a good amount of money, I could buy more suitable combat clothes." Torisu says while leaving the bathroom.

Shinto was confused though. Torisu was a Jounin level ninja so why did she needed to become a Mercenary for someone to gain money when she could be a regular ninja? She put her bloody shirt in a laundry bag that had many of their clothes within them. Shinto hated this, she wasn't acting like her normal self. "Torisu, what's wrong?"

"Nothing! I'm just angry at the fact you found out about this earlier. I didn't want you to think that I'm a criminal which I am. I could face life in prison for this..."

"Then why won't you just stop? You're a Jounin level ninja..." Shinto questioned.

It was a little while of silence from Torisu until she in front of Shinto on her knees. "Shinto, I need you to make a promise to me. You want to be a shinobi, right? Then I can't have you to stop. I want you to continue training, getting stronger. More hardships are going to come, I also want you to promise me that you'll never speak of this to anyone."

She completely ignored his question that had him confused. It been several weeks now since then, he couldn't help to think that his sister was working secretly for someone that has people getting killed. If it was AnBu foundation, then it wouldn't make any sense why she would keep it from her brother. Water then splashed in his face that sent him back to his senses. It was about time to have some bromance. Ironically funny, this was the first time Shinto ever had this experience, same for Midori who usually wants to focus more on his goals. All the boys and girls were in separate rooms that had indoor hot springs. He was splashed again by Midori. "Spacing out in the hot tub? What's on your mind?"

"Oh! Sorry! This was my first time being doing something like this so I'm nervous, hehe..." Shinto chuckled.

"Same, really weird." Midori agreed as he splashed water in Shinto's face. Shinto frowned, splashing water back in his face. Acting like a bunch of kids which they are that but it seem like an unlikely friendship because of different personalities. Next thing they seen was Chogin, using the human boulder jutsu to roll increasingly fast with Bakkura running on top of him. "Hold up! Stop!" Midori and Shinto said simultaneously.

But it was too late when Chogin roll up a ramp made from ice. Shinto and Midori tried to get out but blasted out anyways once they made the splash.

Inotenn snickered. "Sorry guys, they wouldn't stop bothering me." He apologized. Shinto laughed while getting up, Midori was a bit steamed. Bakkura shooting from under the water. "Chill out man, do you want to end up like a sad-sack like Unika or a buzz kill like Shisuki.

"I'm not a buzz kill! I'm just not great with social groups!" Shisuki shouted.

"You guys! She's out here! Come check it out." Okami called.

"Who?"

"Okuru Shimura!"

After saying that, Bakkura being the first one trying to get out the tub with Chogin pulling behind. Shinto didn't knew who that was while Midori went to go put on his clothes his eyes. Out of curiosity, Shinto wrapped a towel around his waist like the others and went to go see to. A girl with a short white Yutaka and long loose hair, natural warm undertone. A forehead protector was wrapped her neck instead. It wasn't many people surrounding her but some was taking pictures from a distance. The guys were complimenting here, calling her beautiful, hot, a goddess, can she be my senpai. "Who is she?"

After asking that, they look at him confusingly. "You're a bigger buzz kill then Shisuki, Shinto! How the hell you don't who's Okuru Shimura?!"

Shinto scratched his head awkwardly. "Well, why is she so famous?"

"Well one, she the daughter of the Hokage for one, she is hot, and she played the main role of hit movie called Subete Jashinist."

Subete Jashinist was a horror movie about a religious extremist who tried to spread the word of Jashin. Only a girl tried to join (who Okuru played) until she realized that the extremist was a sadistic murder. It ends with Okuru being the final girl like most horror movie tropes. "Guess I should watch it som-"

"Shh, shh! I think she's looking at us!"

After Okuru got her dango dumplings stick she turned and looked over to see boys with nothing on but towels. "Hey senpai!" They yelled except for Shinto. The sight of many boys who were almost naked had her cheeks hued red. Sheepishly she ran off. Bakkura chuckled as he look over to Shinto who looks like he experience million blades to the stomach. Then he noticed a foot between his legs. Shinto body went limp and fell as he held his hands on his crotch. "YOU BITCH! WAS THAT NECESSARY?!" Bakkura yelled at Sakana.

She look at Bakkura with a very stoic stare. "Yeah, it was definitely necessary. I don't want Shinto ending up like a pervert."

It was not too soon that team Kasai collected back together, Shinto was still feeling the effects of that low-blow. "Uurgh..."

"You okay?" Midori asked.

"No! You must haven't heard when I got kick straight below the belt!" Shinto cried.

"Couldn't you just heal yourself?"

"Oh, yeah.."

Currently the boys are working on their Taijutsu while Sakana worked on ninjutsu with Kasai. Kasai held a dozen of chakra papers that determined what's the holder chakra nature affinity. "Pour your chakra within this. From the look of it, it'll determine your chakra nature affinity." Kasai handed Sakana a chakra paper. "Your chakra nature affinity is what you're more capable with. Likewise, me and Midori chakra nature affinity are Fire Release. Shinto, I currently don't know. However, just because it your main affinity doesn't mean you're capable of learning other chakra natures. Like me, I know Fire, Wind and Water Style. As a ninja, you must know how to adapt otherwise your same skill set could be read like kindergarteners book. So right now, let's see what is your chakra nature."

Sakana nodded as she poured her chakra into the paper. The paper became completely damp. "Water release, classy." Kasai mumbled.

"Hell yeah! That means I can be like Tobirama or Mizume!"

"Water release can be used defensively and offensively. I want you to learn this jutsu here." Kasai walked over to a tree as he performed a two handseal jutsu that allowed Kasai to expel a blast of strong volume of water that launched if it was a torpedo. The sheer force blasted down the tree. "That's called Torpedo Piercing Jutsu. While you practice that on that, I'm going to head over to Shinto."

He went over to Shinto while calling him over. Like he told Sakana, he said the same to Shinto, giving him a chakra paper. Shinto chakra affinity was Wind release like Rai Sarutobi and his grandfather. He taught Shinto the Sickle Weasel Technique. Midori then groaned. "Alright! I'm going to stay what we've been thinking. Why the hell are we training our asses off but never showcase them on real missions!"

Sakana agreed. "Yeah, I agree, all the stuff we've been doing is community work."

"Just gotta deal with it. These missions will only suffice Genin which is you guys are." Kasai stated. He then sighed. "But it has been a month so I'll see what I could do."

That was the only notice they could get. Unfortunately, they didn't get any new mission that involve ninja stuff so today, it was just going to be a regular day. Shinto was walking aimlessly, wondering if he should train on Taijutsu by himself or Kenjutsu with Happī. He then bump into a boy with a suit, only slightly taller than him. "Watch yourself peasant."

He was shoved back by the person he encounteres, Shinto was going to respond negatively but he decided to let it go. "My apologies."

Despite the apology, the offender wanted to insert dominance. "You see this?" He pulled out a forehead protector from his suit. "I'm a shinobi too despite my other work, so I advise you to make sure this won't happen again."

Shinto then remembered something. He watched Subete Jashinest yesterday on on-demand. The guy who is threatening him was one of the co-star in that movie. Jericho 'Toma' Natsu. He was also Okuru's boyfriend.

"I already apologize so keep your egotistical threats to yourself! Jerk!" Shinto snapped, now purposely bumping into his shoulder while walking past him. Jericho wasn't having that, he turned Shinto back toward him before punching him straight in the jaw.

Shinto stumbled back by the punch. Jericho being arrogant, he taunted Shinto. "You want more bitch-"

Shinto foot hit his shin that cause him to stumble and fall heavily on his backside. Jericho groaned as he look up at Shinto. "That wasn't fair!"

"You suckered punch me. So I was only being even!" Shinto barked back.

Jericho slowly gotten up like if he was going to attack again, Shinto was ready but the scrap was stopped by the main stsr. "If he apologized then there's no point of fighting." Okuru says. She then stared at Shinto with glare. "You were one of those perverts that were staring at me from the boys hotsprings."

"What?!" Jericho exclaimed. Growling, he was going to lash out at Shinto until Okuru pulled him back by collar. "You think you could gawk at my girlfriend and get away with it!"

"It was only a curious stare. If you don't like guys gawking at your girlfriend, then tell her to stop looking good!" Shinto again insulted. He left Okuru speechless while Jericho tried to break free so he could get his hands on him.

He then saw Sakana running up behind him. As she walk beside him, she glance back at Okuru and Jericho. "What did you say to her? That bitch looks so shaken, haha." Sakana laughed.

"Sakana, language!" Shinto said.

"Don't care! I hate rich people, especially her! I bet she's using her dad position to get closer to the Hokage title." Sakana ranted.

"Yeah..." Shinto muttered. "Hey, you want to train together? Since we have a free day, I think it's best if we work on our Taijutsu."

"Yeah." She nodded. "I think we should. I just learn my dad's Fire element yesterday and I need someone to torch." Sakana joked. As Sakana and him continue to walk, they saw Midori talking to...the Hokage while Kasai had watch over them. Not too long that the Hokage spotted the others. It not known what he said to Midori afterwards but then he took his leave. "Y-you were talking to the Hokage? Dammit! I wanted his autograph." She complained.

"Should I tell them?" Midori said.

"Go ahead..." Kasai allowed.

Midori sighed. "I'm becoming the Hokage's apprentice."

"Whaa?!" Sakana and Shinto said simultaneously. "B-but that's cheating!" Sakana shouted.

Shinto found that strange, was Midori that good that he was acknowledge? He found it understandable though. Midori wasn't any slacker and obviously obtain the Sharingan anytime soon. That only makes Shinto want to train twice as hard. He went for Iron Lee for advice, surprisingly it was helpful however it came with a extremely harsh cost.

Like he thought about earlier, he needed to train harder but mainly on his physical state. "Hachimon!" Shinto punched the tree repeatedly.

"The hell is a 'Hachimon.'" Sakana asked.

"A power up that increases physical capabilities, however it put harsh strain on the body. So I gotta..." He punched the tree again but it put a pain onto his knuckles. "Ouch ouch! Ehehe...you want to learn it too?"

"Whatever it is, it sounds very terrible. I want to get strong but not in the most painful way. Once you unlock it, I'll think about it." Sakana says as she got up and soon went away. "I'll gonna go train with my dad for a while. Let's talk later."

As Sakana left, Shinto was going to leave the training bump into someone. Again, it was the ruby eyed girl from earlier. Her sudden appearance startle him as he tripped against a tree. "O-oh, it's you. Okuru, right?"

"Is that a joke? Are you pretending not to know me?"

Shinto got up, scratching hid head awkwardly. "No...? I mean- Is that a problem?"

"No. Just use to everyone knowing me." Okuru replied. She then glance over to the direction Sakana left. "Your red hair friend is smart to deny your request?"

Shinto looked a bit devastated. "...really?"

"Yesh. Either that or she's lazy, huehue." Okuru giggled.

"Hm...can I help you?"

"Oh...nothing. Just asking if you want to hang out?"

Shinto baffled when she asked, his inner self had a negative vibe. "She's only trying to start things between you and Jericho! Don't trust her."

Okuru had had scroll in her hands. "Wanna ride my hover board?"

"..."

Meanwhile with Midori.

After the others left, the Hokage Jōkara Shimura had reunited with him. "Sorry that I left earlier, I just didn't want to make things awkward with you and your comrades."

Midori let out a sigh of relief, glad that his friends weren't jealous obessive weirdos. Sakana reaction was obvious but she didn't seem too angry about it. "You know why I picked you to be my apprentice, young Midori?"

"Because I have potential of becoming a strong Hokage?"

"Exactly. Your grandfather, the previous head of the Uchiha clan was a very strong leader. And I predict that once his time is up, your very talented brother will take over." Jōkara said.

For some reason, the thought of Shinto came to his head. Shinto was his actual equal when it came to normal Taijutsu but was overwhelm when Shinto shown that he could use Gentle Fist. "Can I ask? If you knew about me from the reports that Kasai has given you, didn't you read about Shinto as well?"

"I did. But..." Jōkara glance over to Shinto who was standing on his daughter hoverboard while she tried to help him keep his balance. "Unlike you, he won't have visual prowess. He's a failure as a Hyuuga and after a few years or probably earlier, he'll only become a forgotten memory."

Midori had glance at Jōkara with an small narrow glare. "Apologies if that offended you but I'm only being truthful. The shinobi world is only about power. Without power, there's no chance of surviving. Why do you think all of the people count on shinobi?" Jōkara asked rhetorically. He then continued. "Because these people are weak. They count on us to survive because they know without us, they'll die. You get what I'm saying? The weak die while power prevails. Shinto only became a Genin because of the group effort but watch how you'll distance yourself in power."

Hearing what Jōkara said gave the 12 year old Uchiha mix feelings. The position was great but he didn't like how he was trashing Shinto for no apparent reason. "What about your daughter? Isn't she a Chuunin already?"

"Why yes, she is. Been a Chuunin since she was 8 years old. But Okuru has her problems that I cannot accept. Still, I keep my eyes on her cause of her high potential within her."

What has Midori learn today? He learn that Jōkara was a bit power hungry.

With Shinto and Okuru.

The girl kept holding on Shinto hand so he wouldn't lose his balance, she laughed at how hard Shinto tried to stay steady. "Hahaha, your killing me with this Shinto!"

Shinto blushed embarrassingly. "So many people are staring, it hurts!" He says sheepishly.

Now losing complete balance, he fell forward with the hoverboard flinging backwards. Luckily, Okuru was there to save Shinto from more embarrassing stares by catching him. "T-thank you."

"You're such a train wreck." Okuru giggled.

"I'm really am..." Shinto chuckled nervously.

It was not too long that Jericho found them together but before he could do anything, Okuru already explained that they were just hanging out. Jericho being straightforward. "I don't want you to hang out with that scrub."

"What's wrong with me? I didn't do anything wrong." Shinto piped in.

"You're only a fucking groupie! Why don't you know get a life?" Jericho spazzed out.

Shinto stared at Jericho as if he was stupid. "A groupie? I remember YOUR girlfriend coming to me. Maybe she wants to be my groupie." He joked, only wanting to get under Jericho skin. The other people who were overhearing the verbal exchange, laughed. Shinto wasn't really a person who threw out insults but something about this guy was just so irritating.

Okuru blushed out of embarrassment as she restrain herself from attacking Shinto. "S-shut up! Jericho, I've already said it. If you have a problem with me hanging out with other people, then it's best if we break apart."

Hearing that she threaten to end off the relationship, Shinto decided to separate himself from them this. Despite Jericho egotistic behavior, he at least be respectful toward Okuru at least. "Okuru, we're gathering too much attention. Besides, I need to do something important."

Okuru felt skeptical about that statement but looking at the situation now, she let it go. "Goodbye then."

Shinto waved off goodbye while running off. But while going away, he stared straight at Jericho who had a death stare on him. "Is he that mad?"

He tried to get away, he had too much things on his mind anyway. 10:25 pm, Shinto laid on the ground, body exhausted and sore. It was only a matter of time his medical-teacher look upon him. "You look like crap, Shinto. What are you doin out past curfew?" Happī asked.

Shinto sat up while letting out a sigh. "Just trying to keep up in the ranks. One of my comrades had became the Hokage apprentice and I don't want to be left behind."

"Word of advice. Don't over train yourself, it could be bad for your body." Happī says, going down to heal her star and only student. "By the way, shouldn't you happy?"

Shinto hesitanted, not because he wasn't happy but something else. "Hey...you remember when Kasai ranted on me for being scared?"

"Mm yeah?" Happī find it confusing that Shinto brought it up.

"What if I told you that...I'm even more scared now?"

Happī causally sat beside Shinto. "Why are you? Did someone hurt you?"

"No. I've haven't been saying it but...I've been feeling depressed lately." Shinto says. Happī didn't think she'll hear that from Shinto after all the enthusiasm he has been showing through the past month. Truth is, Shinto occasionally went through panic attacks after finding out what his sister has been doing a month ago. He was just afraid of people finding out who she was or any enemies coming after them. He just lived in fear of being assassinated. "I'm just scared that something bad is going to happen...

She was baffled by that. "What makes you think that?"

"Nevermind. I gotta go. Do you have any time tomorrow?" Shinto stood up.

"No unfortunately, some shinobi had went on a dangerous mission and I need to help treat them." Happī says.

Shinto sighed but nodded in understanding. The boy went home, deciding to sleep the rest of the night off. Coming in from the front door, the house phone ringed. Shinto picked up, answering it. "Hello...?"

"I know who you are."

"What?" Shinto said.

"Shinto Tokya Hyuuga? Right? The son of a criminal. Your father has a debt to pay. And you..."

The boy was forcefully turnt around, sharing in terror in the face. "will pay it..."

It was Okuru pulling a prank, she laughed at the look of Shinto face. It was like he was going to have an heart attack. "Why...how..."

"That's what you get for calling me your groupie." She nudged her fingers on his forehead.

Shinto frowned. "It was just a joke! What you did almost gave me a heart attack! How did you even get my ph- pft! How do you know where I stay at?"

"I have my ways."

Shinto didn't know how to respond to that, all he did was walk past her to see if Torisu was here. "It past curfew, shouldn't you go home?"

Okuru giggled as she picked up the TV remote while sitting on the couch. "You're so lame."

Like always, Torisu wasn't here. So he was stuck here with Okuru. "I'm sorry that I am but being around you causes trouble, no offensive."

"You're saying like I intentionally wanted this to happen. The only thing I want friend is friends too."

Shinto sat beside Okuru to see what she was watching. "That's nice but your boyfriend is a jerk. If he sees you in my house, he'll flip."

"Then I'll just break up with him, simple as that."

Shinto cringed at how bluntly she said that. "Don't do that! That would be cruel."

"No it wouldn't. He isn't allowing me to have friends is cruel and I'll be fine cutting him out of my life."

Shinto scratched his head. "When you put it that way...I guess you're right."

Okuru snorted. "You're so nice, it hurts."

"Is that a bad thing?"

"Immaturity can be a negative factor of kindness. Being too kind can cause emotional blindness. Like for an example, I could be publically known as a cold-hearted serial killer, you being kind let me in your house...and suddenly you turnt for something while I have an knife in my hand." Okuru joked.

Shinto suddenly saw a kitchen knife in Okuru's lap, was she serious? Whatever it was, he shriek like a little girl once quickly grabbed it. He tripped over his own foot when trying to run away. Okuru pounce onto his back. "Wha! What are you-"

"Calm down! It isn't real! See?" She pushed the blade hard on his back to show that it was made of plastic. She then snorted, trying to contain her laughter.

Shinto let out a small nervous chuckle. "Wow...you really...got me there."

"But, do you see what I mean?" Okuru got up.

"Yeah, I...do."

Later, Shinto had gotten himself to bed with a sudden someone laying behind him. Shinto fidgets his foot on his bed out of nervousness that a girl who pull sadistic jokes was laying beside him. "Uhh...do you want me to make you a pallet...?"

The white haired body completely went crimson when he felt her arms wrapped around his waist as he shivered when he felt her breath running on his neck. "Nope~! I'm fine here!"

Shinto felt extremely uncomfortable as he broken away from her grasp, rolling off the bed afterwards. "I'm sleeping on the floor!"

He grabbed some covers out of his closet to make himself a pallet on the floor. "Goodnight!"

After a bit, Shinto couldn't bring himself to sleep knowing that Torisu is out there doing something immoral. "Can't sleep?" Okuru asked.

Shinto sighed. "Yeah."

"Well then. Perfect time to talk!" Okuru says.

"Okay then." Shinto replied. "So, can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

He turned to her direction, now laying on his side. "How's life?"

Okuru stared at him, dumbfounded. "How's life? Normal or celebrity?"

"Both!"

"Disappointing." She says bluntly.

Shinto was surprised to hear that. "Are you crazy? Anybody would kill to be in your spot. Well, except for me. But, how can you say disappointing?"

"..." She stayed quiet for bit after Shinto responded. "Tell me. Why wouldn't you want this position?"

"Because. Too much work. And I don't want to be a movie star nor future Hokage. If you're Hokage, everyone would always depend on you which is too much pressure."

"Exactly. I hate that and is not what I want. Failure to bring those expectations could cause disappointment, hate, and rumours."

"Then what do you want to be?" Shinto asked.

She quickly respond. "A farmer."

"A farmer?"

"Yes or a traveler.

He immediately curled himself under one of his covers. 7:10 am, Shinto woken up but still at an uncomfortable state. "Say cheese!" A flash of light came from her phone.

"Say what?"

Snap! That picture was taken. Okuru snickered at how tired and annoyed Shinto look in the picture. "Making this my wallpaper."

Getting up to freshen up today, he couldn't get Okuru out of his hair. It didn't bother him that she was here since he enjoy the company but Okuru could be awkward and uncomfortable. She made pancakes for him, brushed his teeth his teeth. It got even more weird when he was about to take a shower and she started undress. "NO! NO! GET OUT!"

Shinto and Okuru left his house. "Are you uncomfortable with me?"

"Sorta. Cooking my food, brushing my teeth...and then..." His body heated red at the thought of what she was going to do. "what was that all about?"

"Question is, do you think I'm obsessive?"

"No?" He says confusingly. "I do think you're a pervert."

Okuru for some reason felt relieved. "You wouldn't mind being friends a pervert considering all your friends are."

"I don't mind, just don't go beyond hugging and cuddling. You still have a boyfriend ya know." Shinto says with a snicker.

It was just something about him that made her world stable but it's something she needed to know about. "Shinto, could you give me a reason why you want to be my friend?"

Shinto had to think for a second. "I guess I was forced too! You were everywhere, including my house!" The boy laughed.

Okuru didn't like that joke, actually she wasn't in for any jokes now as she clutched her fist. "I'm being serious, you should be too."

"Okay. I guess I wanna be friends with you because you're...percuu...I can't pronounce it."

"Peculiar?"

Shinto nodded. "Right on! Peculiar and unique! I never met anyone like you which cool!"

That was a very peculiar answer in her eyes. "Anything...else..." He trailed off, noticing Okuru disappeared and Sakana was closing in. "Hey Sakana-"

"Don't talk to me." Sakana cut him off while walking past him.

"W-what? What I do?"

Sakana look back at Shinto. "You and Midori are the same, using them at your advantage. Except...you're worse than Midori."

Shinto look devastated but then, he got an evil blushful expression. "W-worse huh? Maybe you're just jealous!"

Sakana narrowly stared Shinto. "Why are you so red? You better not thinking of something dirty."

"Pft." He snorted. "No. Let's do our missions."

Today, they got a better mission. A group of alley abductors has been targeting and kidnapping children and girls. Out in the dark, they were going to use Sakana was bait. She didn't have her forehead protector and had casual clothes on. Shinto, Midori and Kasai watched from separate buildings. The bait worked. "Hey, it a been late for a little girl to be outside."

"I know, I was only going to the store."

"My name is Fucha. Want me to walk you home?"

"I know the way home." Sakana replied. But then someone grabbed onto her wrist. Sakana grunted as she saw two guys come at her from behind. That's was the cue to strike. Shinto knocked out the first approacher with a aerial roundhouse kick while Midori taken out the other by stomping his foot down onto their face.

"Dah!" The man that had Sakana was stabbed in the hand with a kunai. Sakana was about to attack again until he used substitution jutsu to causes smoke. That's where Fucha made a run for it.

Midori had chased after him while looking back. "You guys go after the other one! This guy is mine!"

"C'mon Shinto!" Sakana had haul ass, running after the other kidnapper.

Shinto was hesitant at first until Kasai leapt down. "I got them, help Sakana." He said. Shinto nodded before following behind the red hair girl.

Unlike the others who got beaten quickly, Fucha was very agile. He had the chase going onto the rooftops so he wouldn't be seen by any other shinobi. Seeing that he couldn't shake off Midori, the kidnapper lead the fight to the forest so he wouldn't been seen. "You had to ruin this. But now, I'm going to beat you to death."

Midori had flipped onto the ground. "You can try."

Hand to Hand Combat. Fucha had charge first and tried to use overwhelming strength by using the Stone Fist Jutsu to make himself Gauntlets made from rock. However, Midori was agile enough to duck and dodge the punches coming from Fucha. After evading another one, he crouched tried for a leg sweep. Fucha leapt over it before weaving handsign unbelievably quick before clapping his hands. "Earth Style: Flying Rock Jutsu!"

The Gauntlets fired off like a rocket, Midori flipped back to dodge the first one but the second one is where he was caught as he tried to block it but was sent driven afterwards. Fucha ran after Midori again who just gotten back up to his feet. Fucha striking movement seem to be faster as he sent a side kick to Midori liver before he could react. Midori grunted but kept his composure. Fucha then followed up with another punch. Midori adjusted his head out the way before punching Fucha straight in the jaw. While Fucha face did move, he look unfazed. Because of that punch, a red forehead protector had slipped out his shirt. "Terrible!" Fucha thrusted out a chakra infused kick to Midori's chest to send him flying toward a tree.

Shinto and Sakana manage to catch up with the other kidnapper, unfortunately once they found him, he had a decapitated head. "Oh god! Is...he dead?" Shinto asked.

Sakana poked the body with a kunai. "Obviously. C'mon, let's go if Midori is okay."

He wasn't. Fucha's durability and speed was just something else. "Damn it! This guy is more powerful than I thought. I keep punching him and yet he doesn't falls. I don't see any weakness."

Fucha shaken his head. "You know what. You're so pathetic, I don't even need to fight you. Earth Style: Stone Golem."

Placing his chakra onto the ground, a 10 foot tall rock humanoid emerged. Midori hated this, he never felt so vulnerable in his life.

"Fire Style: Cross Blade Jutsu!"

"Wind Style: Wind Scythe!"

Fire formed into an X and blades of wind collided into the rock golem. Causing it to explode. That brought Fucha attention as he looked at the other two who came to Midori aid. "You alright Midori?" Shinto asked in concern. He seen that Midori was exhausted and damage badly so he start healing him.

Sakana serve as a new opponent. Fucha tried to stay stoic but down inside he needed a relished too so he brought out a food pill.

"A food pill? I knew he couldn't beaten you that easily."

"It isn't that. Every time I punch him, he doesn't seem fazed."

"That tells it then." Shinto replied. Midori was still confused so Shinto needed to explain it more. "He wasted chakra in a short period of time, meaning he's using chakra to heightened his strength. Though he must be using a Ninjutsu to increase his durability. That's why he's using a food pill."

"Water Style: Torpedo Piercing Jutsu!" Sakana spewed a strong volume of water that took form of torpedo.

"Food pills serve as a chakra restorer, allowing the person who eat it fight for three day."

Both Shinto and Midori kept observing while they talk. As Fucha tried to block it, he was sent flying by the impact. "E-Earth Style-"

"You see it?"

After Fucha got hit by a blast of water, rocks was sent flying off of him. "I see it Shinto."

Shinto then ran toward Fucha. "Gentle Fist Art!"

"A H-hyuuga?"

Gentle Fist Style. A combat style that breaks through defenses and cause damage internally. Palm strike after palm strike struck the kidnapper, Shinto was breaking off the rock defense that Fucha was using to absorb the impact of their attack. Now he was just getting busted up internally. "This win is mine!" He then knocked Fucha onto the dirt with an uppercut that knocked him down to the floor. Fucha cough up his blood. "You were basically a mismatch for me. Have fun in jail."

"Good work you guys. We'll take it from here." Two Anbu ninjas came, one of them noticed a Hidden Stone headband. It wasn't scratched at all so it was hard to tell if Hidden Stone purposely had sent ninjas over here. Three were arrested while one was unknowingly killed. They were praised, mainly Shinto as they were payed more than the previously missions that had done.

"Again, I was outshined by him. I get that me and him were equals but..."

Midori thought as he watched Shinto reunite with his elder sister.

Little Flashback.

"I did. But..." Jōkara glance over to Shinto who was standing on his daughter hoverboard while she tried to help him keep his balance. "Unlike you, he won't have visual prowess. He's a failure as a Hyuuga and after a few years or probably earlier, he'll only become a forgotten memory."

Visual Prowess. The only way to get ahead is to obtain the Sharingan.

Finally at home. Shinto glares at Torisu who hadn't been home for almost two days. "What took you so long?"

"It has been harsh but don't worry, I'll be staying a lot longer." Torisu spoke happily. She sound sincere so he had to believe her.

"Shinto, are you there? I already cooked-" Okuru came from upstairs. Shinto eyes widen, wondering why she's here again at the worst times.

The sight of her made Torisu Byakugan bulge. She look at her little brother first. "You have "guests" here while I'm gone?"

"Y-you didn't have to say it like that! And what if I do? I get lonely when you aren't around." Shinto stated.

Okuru giggled awkwardly. "My apologies. I came in unannounced, my name is Ok-"

"I know who you are!" Torisu snapped.

Okuru laughed as she walked to the door. "See you tomorrow Shinto." The Final girl waved goodbyed before leaving the house.

"You just got back and you're already ruining everything..." Shinto stormed up to his room.

Torisu had stopped him by grabbing his arm. "I forbid you from seeing her."

Shinto glared at Torisu. "How can you do that? She hasn't done wrong. You don't even know her..."

"Trust me Shinto. You might think she's all sparkles and butterflies but you'll end wanting to hurt yourself." Torisu said.

He took that as an exaggeration. He snatched his arm away so he could sleep the rest of the day off.

Some characters would have changes. I always thought the original Okuru was pale and I think I could've done a lot of better.